Book Drives in Action

We are working with the African Library Project to provide books to eager readers in Africa who have very few books. Please help us by collecting and delivering gently used books or by raising money to help pay for shipping to Africa. It takes only 1000 books and $500 (plus a little elbow grease!) to start a single library and make a huge difference in children’s lives.

This book drive is organized by ...

My name is Christina Herrick. My daughter, Phoebe Schechner, and I are organizing this book drive in honor of my son Evan, who passed away this past September at the age of 18.

Our website link:

We want to start a library in Africa because...

My son Evan had an incredible love for reading and writing. Books were a large part of his life and he collected quite a lot. This past September, I lost my baby boy at the age of 18, something that no mother should have to experience. Faced with the prospect of what to do with his things, and in particular his books, a dear friend suggested that I donate them through this program to start a library in Africa. It was the perfect solution to a painful task. Evan would have absolutely loved the idea, as do I and his sister. His cherished books will continue to be enjoyed and hopefully help to instill a love of reading in many more young people!

About our African Partners...

We will be collecting books to start a community library in Malawi.

Please contribute these kinds of books...

We are looking to collect 1,000 preschool - 8th grade reading level books! Anything from baby board books, paperbacks, fiction, non-fiction to textbooks are welcome. Please click on link to see specifics of books types needed - we are starting a community library.
https://www.africanlibraryproject.org/book-drives/book-drive-guidelines/sort-your-books

Here's how you can contribute your books...

1) Books can be dropped at our house - I will leave a bin near the garage to place them in if we are not home.
Collection boxes will also be located at:
Hopkins School in New Haven
Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset State Park
South Lane Bistro Restaurant in Guilford
Sea House Restaurant in Madison
Urbane Hair Salon in Guilford

2) If you don't live nearby, please consider buying used or new books on Amazon and shipping them to me. (email me for my address) The African Library Project has two wishlists on Amazon ,for either primary or secondary books:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1ERR8RDZUEW5H/ref=cm_wl_list_o_2
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3P62KY6ZPE37K/ref=cm_go_nav_hz

3) Monetary contributions are also welcome that I can use to purchase books!

We will be collecting books through May 31, 2019.

We need to raise funds for shipping the books...

Here are some ways that you can help...

Please spread the word about this project! If you have friends with children, it might be the perfect time to go through their bookshelves and donate any unwanted books.